Today as I walked I thought about birds. For many years, when I chose to ignore the sound of God calling me I tried to convince myself God didn't exist, but birds got in the way. I could rationalize much of nature but never birds. Their vast varieties. Their seemingly nonsensical mix of colors.

Birds always seemed like deliberate creations, even when my eyes were most jaded by cynicism.

Today I thought about birds as I hurried to get in my Lent inspired walk before the Good Friday service at our little church. The thoughts were initially prompted by a grackle I saw perched on a rooftop. It seemed odd. Several blocks away there was another grackle, a black bird that could be mistaken for a crow, perched on the apex of another roof. Then just as Amy and I walked out of the house to head to tonight's service, there across the street at the peak of the neighbor's roof was yet another black grackle.

I couldn't help but think of the words I would hear tonight:.

Matthew 26:34
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

It's odd now that it seems so long ago that I started to open my heart to God because of what I saw in birds. I still see the majesty of God in those small creations, but I also see God in so many other creations...even people...their vast varieties and seemingly nonsensical mix.
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I guess I can give God credit for using birds to reach me....it certainly appears in some cases like THIS it's reciprocal.